Problem - low oil?

ninjaman · September 27th, 2011, 07:07 PM

i bought a used 2008 250r
i went to go look at the oil level and it was empty. did this when it was cold for a several hours.
i went to look under the bike and there is a clear hose that is hanging down that seems to be cut somehow. it runs parallel to a black hose.
the clear hose is oily so it looks like thats how the oil got out.
anyway, what could have happened?
have i hurt the bike irreparably riding it twice around the block since i bought it and revving it with no oil?
i did see this when the bike was cold after having been off for several hours. the oil window is completely empty.
how do i fix this going forward?

Skippii · September 27th, 2011, 07:11 PM

All the bikes all have lots of random hoses not connected to anything (carb vents, gas tank vents, etc). The oil level needs to be checked with the bike on level ground, straight up (NOT on the side stand or it will look empty) after running the bike breifly and then turning it off.

00NissanNinja · September 27th, 2011, 07:12 PM

Did you look at the oil sight glass with the bike stood up as though you were on it? clear hose is just an oil drain for the excess oil blow by into the airbox I believe...

Skippii · September 27th, 2011, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ninjaman

i went to go look at the oil level and it was empty. did this when it was cold for a several hours.

If you didn't see oil at first, why did you just stand out in the cold and keep staring at it for several hours? It's not going to magically fill itself with oil...

00NissanNinja · September 27th, 2011, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skippii

If you didn't see oil at first, why did you just stand out in the cold and keep staring at it for several hours? It's not going to magically fill itself with oil...

Gorilla25 · September 27th, 2011, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skippii

It's not going to magically fill itself with oil...

Alex · September 27th, 2011, 07:20 PM

Make sure you are checking the oil level correctly, as Skippi pointed out. Are you sure that it's truly low?

ninjaman · September 27th, 2011, 07:25 PM

Not gonna lie, that's funny. I'm kinda upset so it sounded like I stared at it for hours. Lmao.
But i meant after the bike had been off for hours.
Anyway, I will stand it up straight and then check it. I was trippin and even called the guy who sold it to me like wtf?
I have to chill. The clear hose hanging down directly under the bike is very wrong looking though.
Posted via Mobile Device

Alex · September 27th, 2011, 07:27 PM

Have you read your owners manual? If not, do so.

If you didn't get one with the bike, check out the sticky thread at the top of this tech section; there is a link to download a PDF version.

Gorilla25 · September 27th, 2011, 07:32 PM

and while you're at it, just go ahead and change the oil and filter. also check the brake fluid, brake pads, chain slack, and air filter. not sure how long ago general maintenance has been done, so you might as well get it done

OGjackafidy · September 27th, 2011, 08:21 PM

The tubes are normal there for air intake I believe and the oil will look empty unless its stood up straight. If there is literally no oil in the bike riding it will irreparable damage the bike. The oil puts a thin layer around all metal parts so they never touch each other and if that is gone then everything in your engine will grind together including your transmission and it will be ruined

ninja250 · September 28th, 2011, 05:17 AM

There's an "I overheated it" hose
A "Fuel bowls need to breathe so they don't explode" hose
A "tank vent" hose
A "tank overflow" hose
and I think there is one more I'm forgetting.

Should be a good five hoses dangling around under the bike.

None of which are clear.

Apocolypze01 · September 28th, 2011, 06:22 AM

That clear hose is the battery vent hose. The black hose is the coolant overflow hose. Running the bike without oil can sieze the engine, damage rods and a whole lot of expensive things.

Check the oil with the bike upright - not on it's side stand - on a level ground. To get the bike upright (if it doesnt have a centre stand), get a buddy to sit on it.

If you see the oil in the sight glass is milky, you have a leak somewhere. If you smell a burning smell (with the engine running), the head cover gasket might be gone.

Need more deets man

ninja250 · September 28th, 2011, 06:30 AM

Quote:

battery vent hose.

My battery has no hoses coming from it.
My bike has no clear hoses.

Apocolypze01 · September 28th, 2011, 06:42 AM

Maybe the vent hose is only for pre 08 models? Im not sure. ninjaman, does your battery have little plugs on top? In a row?

DaBlue1 · September 28th, 2011, 08:15 AM

As others have mentioned there are several hose on the bike that connect to nothing on the bike. It has been noted that some new gens have a long or short clear hose attached to the airbox. There are no hoses on the sealed maintenance free batteries installed on the new gens. This hose allows oil residue and condensation to drain from the airbox. The oil you see in the clear hose is there from a few things. 1.) If the oil filter is overly saturated with oil it will eventually drain off the filter into the airbox and out the hose. 2.) During operation of the bike, gases from the heated oil from the engine crankcase are drawn up into the airbox. The gases are re-burned by the carb, however the oil residue can be trapped by the filter and the insides of the airbox. 3.) Too much oil in the crankcase can also be pulled up into the airbox also. 4.) Condensation can also accumulate inside the airbox during certain temps.

If the oil light turns off after the bike has started, it is a good indicator that you have a sufficient amount of oil in the bike. If the light flickers or stays on, turn off the engine then properly check the oil level.

ninja250 · September 28th, 2011, 09:57 AM

Ah yes they replaced that with a rubber cap instead of a hose on mine.

ninjaman · September 29th, 2011, 06:30 AM

all the replies are much appreciated.
after standing the bike up, the oil in the window fills right up and looks golden.
its good and yes the oil light goes off when the bike is started.
the hose hanging down from the bottom seems to be the what dablue1 claims.
i called the guy who sold it to me and apologized too. lol. well i left a message..

anyway, all seems good.
thanks to all
this resource is priceless.

Apocolypze01 · September 29th, 2011, 06:33 AM

brilliant! glad it worked out for you

September 27th, 2011, 07:07 PM	#1
ninjaman ninjette.org newbie Name: Aamir Location: alexandria, va Join Date: Sep 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2008 250r Posts: 7	Problem - low oil? i bought a used 2008 250r i went to go look at the oil level and it was empty. did this when it was cold for a several hours. i went to look under the bike and there is a clear hose that is hanging down that seems to be cut somehow. it runs parallel to a black hose. the clear hose is oily so it looks like thats how the oil got out. anyway, what could have happened? have i hurt the bike irreparably riding it twice around the block since i bought it and revving it with no oil? i did see this when the bike was cold after having been off for several hours. the oil window is completely empty. how do i fix this going forward?

September 27th, 2011, 07:11 PM	#2
Skippii Milkshake Drinker Name: Skippii Location: Richmond, Va Join Date: Aug 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Orange DRZ400-S, 2005 Ninja 250 & Custom Thundercunt Dirt Chopper Posts: A lot.	All the bikes all have lots of random hoses not connected to anything (carb vents, gas tank vents, etc). The oil level needs to be checked with the bike on level ground, straight up (NOT on the side stand or it will look empty) after running the bike breifly and then turning it off. __________________________________________________ "What a sweetheart."- ninja_sleeper to me

September 27th, 2011, 07:12 PM	#3
00NissanNinja I hate driving... Name: S Location: SW Ohio Join Date: Jul 2010 Motorcycle(s): 13 Triumph Street Triple R, 09 Ninja 250r (Sold 4/20/12) Posts: A lot.	Did you look at the oil sight glass with the bike stood up as though you were on it? clear hose is just an oil drain for the excess oil blow by into the airbox I believe... __________________________________________________ 09 ninja 2fiddy SE Driving slow things fast

September 27th, 2011, 07:20 PM	#7
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	Make sure you are checking the oil level correctly, as Skippi pointed out. Are you sure that it's truly low? __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

September 27th, 2011, 07:27 PM	#9
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	Have you read your owners manual? If not, do so. If you didn't get one with the bike, check out the sticky thread at the top of this tech section; there is a link to download a PDF version. __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

September 27th, 2011, 07:25 PM	#8
ninjaman ninjette.org newbie Name: Aamir Location: alexandria, va Join Date: Sep 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2008 250r Posts: 7	Not gonna lie, that's funny. I'm kinda upset so it sounded like I stared at it for hours. Lmao. But i meant after the bike had been off for hours. Anyway, I will stand it up straight and then check it. I was trippin and even called the guy who sold it to me like wtf? I have to chill. The clear hose hanging down directly under the bike is very wrong looking though. Posted via Mobile Device

September 27th, 2011, 07:32 PM	#10
Gorilla25 Dakine... Name: AJ Location: DFW Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R (Sold) \| 636 (hopefully soon) Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 5	and while you're at it, just go ahead and change the oil and filter. also check the brake fluid, brake pads, chain slack, and air filter. not sure how long ago general maintenance has been done, so you might as well get it done

September 27th, 2011, 08:21 PM	#11
OGjackafidy ninjette.org member Name: Jack Location: columbia MO Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): Red 2009 Ninja 250r Posts: 132	The tubes are normal there for air intake I believe and the oil will look empty unless its stood up straight. If there is literally no oil in the bike riding it will irreparable damage the bike. The oil puts a thin layer around all metal parts so they never touch each other and if that is gone then everything in your engine will grind together including your transmission and it will be ruined __________________________________________________ "The goal in life is to die young at a very old age" " Four wheels moves the body, two wheels moves the soul'

September 28th, 2011, 05:17 AM	#12
ninja250 You are sleeping Name: Casey Location: LMFAO!!! Join Date: Nov 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2 Posts: A lot.	There's an "I overheated it" hose A "Fuel bowls need to breathe so they don't explode" hose A "tank vent" hose A "tank overflow" hose and I think there is one more I'm forgetting. Should be a good five hoses dangling around under the bike. None of which are clear. __________________________________________________ <Yeah, it's a 250. LMFAO! Weaksauce

September 28th, 2011, 06:22 AM	#13
Apocolypze01 CBR? This is ninjaaaaaa!! Name: Michael Location: Victoria, Australia Join Date: Sep 2011 Motorcycle(s): '97 ZZR250 Posts: 40	That clear hose is the battery vent hose. The black hose is the coolant overflow hose. Running the bike without oil can sieze the engine, damage rods and a whole lot of expensive things. Check the oil with the bike upright - not on it's side stand - on a level ground. To get the bike upright (if it doesnt have a centre stand), get a buddy to sit on it. If you see the oil in the sight glass is milky, you have a leak somewhere. If you smell a burning smell (with the engine running), the head cover gasket might be gone. Need more deets man

September 28th, 2011, 06:42 AM	#15
Apocolypze01 CBR? This is ninjaaaaaa!! Name: Michael Location: Victoria, Australia Join Date: Sep 2011 Motorcycle(s): '97 ZZR250 Posts: 40	Maybe the vent hose is only for pre 08 models? Im not sure. ninjaman, does your battery have little plugs on top? In a row?

September 28th, 2011, 09:57 AM	#17
ninja250 You are sleeping Name: Casey Location: LMFAO!!! Join Date: Nov 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2 Posts: A lot.	Ah yes they replaced that with a rubber cap instead of a hose on mine. __________________________________________________ <Yeah, it's a 250. LMFAO! Weaksauce

September 29th, 2011, 06:30 AM	#18
ninjaman ninjette.org newbie Name: Aamir Location: alexandria, va Join Date: Sep 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2008 250r Posts: 7	all the replies are much appreciated. after standing the bike up, the oil in the window fills right up and looks golden. its good and yes the oil light goes off when the bike is started. the hose hanging down from the bottom seems to be the what dablue1 claims. i called the guy who sold it to me and apologized too. lol. well i left a message.. anyway, all seems good. thanks to all this resource is priceless.

September 29th, 2011, 06:33 AM	#19
Apocolypze01 CBR? This is ninjaaaaaa!! Name: Michael Location: Victoria, Australia Join Date: Sep 2011 Motorcycle(s): '97 ZZR250 Posts: 40	brilliant! glad it worked out for you

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